Liam Payne’s first posthumous single delayed: ‘It’s not the time’

(This story was updated to add new information.)
Hours after announcing that a posthumous single from Liam Payne would be coming out this week, the song’s producer has decided to hold its release to allow his family time to mourn the singer.
Following a since-deleted X post that shared Payne’s song “Do No Wrong” would be released Friday, music producer Sam Pounds issued a new statement saying he is “deciding to hold ‘Do No Wrong’ and leave those liberties up to all family members.”
“I want all proceeds go to a charity of their choosing (or however they desire). Even though we all love the song it’s not the time yet,” Pounds wrote. “We are all still mourning the passing of Liam and I want the family to (mourn) in peace and in prayer. We will all wait. With love Sam Pounds.”
In his initial heartfelt social media post, Pounds mourned Payne’s loss and shared a sweet message about the song.
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“I pray that this will be a blessing to the world like Liam has always dreamed. I pray angels will comfort you all everyday while listening. I pray that this song will be a blessing to Ruth, Bear, and the entire family,” Pounds wrote. “I pray that this song eclipses the negative echoes.”
Pounds’ comments were in reference to Payne’s older sister Ruth Gibbins and his 7-year-old son, Bear, whom he shared with British singer Cheryl Cole.
Pounds continued: “I pray supernatural positive healing power will embrace each and every one of you,” and added, “Let’s all be the blessing.”
USA TODAY has reached out to reps for Payne for comment.
Liam Payne, former One Direction member,dies at 31 after balcony fall in Argentina
Payne was found dead after falling from his third-floor balcony of Buenos Aires’ Casa Sur hotel on Oct. 16. In a statement, police said they were called to the hotel in the capital’s Palermo neighborhood, where they were notified of an “aggressive man who could be under the effects of drugs and alcohol.”
Payne earned global fame as part of the since-disbanded pop group One Direction, alongside Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson.
Payne auditioned twice for the U.K. reality program “The X-Factor” before being launched into superstardom. He advanced after auditioning in 2008 and 2010 and was cut both times. However, in 2010, he was saved from elimination when Simon Cowell, Nicole Scherzinger and Louis Walsh folded him into a band with fellow teen solo artists Styles, Horan, Tomlinson and Malik.
The band took an indefinite hiatus in 2016 following the release of their fifth album, “Made in the A.M.” All members, including Payne, went on to pursue solo careers. After leaving 1D, Payne released a popular solo single, “Strip That Down,” in 2017 featuring Migos rapper Quavo.
Payne also released an EP, a studio album and the popular 2018 track “For You” with Rita Ora from the “Fifty Shades Freed” film. In March, he looked ready to make a fully-fledged return to music with the release of the single “Teardrops.”
Contributing: KiMi Robinson